Luna’s Traditional Holiday Fruitcake

In "Christmas Around the World," Luna and friends are excited to celebrate the season in Australia, but Captain Shaggy Bottom’s nap causes them to land in Antarctica, stuck in an iceberg! How will they celebrate Christmas so far from Santa? They quickly find the spirit of giving and learn how people celebrate Christmas with different traditions around the world.

With your child, explore your own holiday traditions and those of others. As you look at family traditions, think about the meaning of some of the traditions. Then explore Luna’s favorite Christmas giving tradition by making your own fruitcake.

Before You Bake

Ask your child to describe your family holiday traditions. If you don’t know the story behind some of your traditions, ask a family member or look together in a book or on the internet. You could even look in some family albums to remember. Then talk about the traditions. Which traditions are your favorite? Why? How did these traditions begin? Which traditions give you the opportunity to share food, gifts or your time with others?

Talk with your child about the Christmas traditions found in the Let’s Go Luna! Christmas Special. What tradition did you like the most? How did Luna and the kids try to include everyone’s traditions in their Christmas celebration?

Ingredients and Materials

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. In a bowl, combine the nuts, dates and cherries or other fruit.

Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until all are combined.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, butter and sugar together, then add the vanilla. Combine egg mixture in with the nuts and flour. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 5 inch pan.

Bake for 1 hour and 35 minutes if using a loaf pan or 20 to 25 minutes if using a muffin tin. Check the cake with a toothpick and see if it comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan and cooling completely on a wire rack.